How to Tell If Hair Follicles Are Alive

Hair loss, or alopecia, may be experienced in men, women and children for a variety of reasons. Hair loss naturally occurs in the hair cycle during telogen, the resting phase, before new growth begins. Noticeable hair loss occurs when not enough hair is being regrown to replace what is lost. In some cases, the hair follicle is still producing hair but at a slower rate. The hair follicle may also be dead and no longer producing hair growth.

Things You'll Need

• Mirror
• Scalp
• Hair
• Physician

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Instructions

How to Tell If Hair Follicles Are Alive

• 1

  Inspect your scalp and head in a mirror. If new hair growth is apparent in the thinning areas, then the follicles are likely to be alive. Dead follicles will produce no new growth.

• 2

  Visit with a physician to discuss your hair loss. The physician will take your history and visually inspect your scalp.

• 3

  Allow the physician to perform a hair pull test. He will pull several strands of hair to examine them under a microscope to assess them for abnormalities.

• 4

  Undergo a scalp biopsy if recommended by the physician. A scalp biopsy removes a section of scalp and hair follicles for examination under a microscope to determine the health of the follicles.

• 5

  Follow any treatments provided by the doctor to encourage hair regrowth. Medications like minoxidil and finasteride may be able to regrow hair in follicles that are alive.